Why does Lenz's law have a minus sign?

The minus sign shows that the direction of induced current always opposes the change that created it. So when certain metals are cropped through say a copper tube they slow down. Show video of Lenz's law in action. The current is induced in the opposite direction to ensure that energy is conserved and not created from nothing.
When pushing a magnet into a coil, if you push the North pole towards the coil first then a North pole is induced in the coil to repel the magnet. The magnet is slowed down and repelled by the coil, the kinetic energy here is dissipated as heat.

JJ
Answered by Joseph J. Physics tutor

1928 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the Centripetal force, and how does it keep objects in circular motion?


A particle of mass 5kg is moving in circular motion with a time period of 2 seconds. The radius of the circle is 10m. What is the centripetal force on the particle


The mercury atoms in a fluorescent tube are excited and then emit photons in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Explain (i) how the mercury atoms become excited and (ii) how the excited atoms emit photons.


What is viscosity?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning